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The Sony Xperia go is a handset that delivers fast performance from its 1GHz dual-core processor. However, its low-resolution screen isn't impressive, and the handset is pricey compared with its competition.

The Sony Xperia Go is a nicely designed, decently specced midrange Android smartphone.

Ultimately, the Sony Xperia Go doesn't offer the best Android experience out there, but it serves up most of what you want to do, in whatever conditions, with little complaint.

The Xperia Go is a compact and robust smartphone perfect for those who need a phone capable of taking a battering. It doesn’t offer anything special in the way of hardware or software but a promised upgrade makes this a reasonable package for £250.

The Sony Xperia go is a compact and well designed Android phone with excellent rugged credentials. It has good build quality to go with its water and dust-resistant capabilities but the screen is cramped, it ships with outdated Android software and there's no front-facing camera.

The rugged Sony Xperia Go is happy to be exposed to the elements but, in other areas, its performance is underwhelming.

Although the Sony Xperia Go is not going to set the smartphone world alight, for anyone looking for a handset that is both beautiful on the eye and able to stand up to whatever you can throw at it, there is no better option than the Sony Xperia Go.

The Sony Xperia go is an average device no matter how you look at it. It has a pretty good processor for its class, and we can live with the low-resolution screen, but the unpleasant plastic casing may ruin the experience for you.

It's slim, it's small and it runs the versatile Android OS. However, its rugged credentials don't extend beyond waterproofing and dust protection, and thanks to the low-res screen it feels like you're trading in a lot to have the option of dunking it in a pint of water if it misbehaves.

The Sony Xperia Go is the best rugged handset on the market, but its outdated Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and bloatware stop it having any real appeal to the mass market.